Extra Points: 'Big Brother' Program Helps Fuel Stagg Surge

After early-season struggles closing out games, the Stagg boys basketball team has turned the tables as of late.

The Chargers (17-5, 8-3) defeated fifth-ranked Thornton 58-53 in another thriller on Friday night.

Since the Chargers fell short agaisnt Thornton in their last meeting 51-42, Stagg has won eight of nine games. The victory in the rematch pulled the Chargers within two games of the Wildcats in the Southwest Suburban Red.

Stagg coach John Daniels said much of the Chargers' recent success can be traced to the play of two senior standouts, Darius Draper and Dan Ahern.

“We’ve passed through 12 players in the last four years,” Daniels said. “Those who graduated had a hand in developing Draper and Ahern. That’s what we do in this program. We bring the kids up and they develop a relationship with each other.”

Like the Stagg players who’ve come before, four-year varsity player Draper is adopting the same strategies as his predecessors did. Ahern and Draper have created a strong chemistry.

Draper and the upperclassmen Chargers started their annual "big brother" program to ease new varsity players into the system. According to Draper, the Chargers "seriously goof" on occasion in practice. He defines this goofing as their love of playing the game, but operating with the right tools to win.

“With only two returning starters, we’re getting the younger guys more experience,” Draper said. “(Sophomore Sean) Dwyer is a great four (power forward). We get the lane crowded and Dwyer is open on the kickout. It’s nice having a shooter like him on the team.”

Draper, Ahern and Dwyer were the three Chargers with double-digit point totals in the Thornton win. They hope to keep the train rolling with a win as they face off against Lemont on Tuesday.

According to Ahern, defense is the key.

“I got a lot of open looks (Friday),” Ahern said. “Thornton has better athletes than us, so we have to take what we can get.”

“All year coach (John Daniels) has stressed the defense. (Friday) we trusted our 'D' and knocked down the open shots. We have to keep that going.”

Stagg has Lemont, Thornridge, Thornwood and Bradley on the schedule to try to apply more pressure on the conference lead from Thornton.

As Stagg is the site for regional play, the Chargers intend to take full advantage of their home court.

“This is the best team I’ve played on in the four years I’ve been on the team,” Draper said. “I think we can get sectionals and beyond that if we do well and keep improving. We just want (to win) so bad.”